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Rabat – Morocco’s House of Councillors passed a draft law seeking to amend the country’s Criminal Procedure Code.
The House of Councillors adopted Draft Law No. 03.23 with 24 votes in favor, and four against. Two councillors abstained from the vote.
Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi presented the reform, seeing it as a historic step in Morocco’s legal, institutional, and human rights landscape.
Ouahbi said the Code of Criminal Procedure holds “great importance, within the legal system as the main driver of criminal and punitive laws, and as one of the framework laws that touches on two distinct domains, requiring a clear and precise legislative text and professional practice.”
He also said the law seeks to ensure that crimes are properly investigated, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure prosecution.
Meanwhile, the law also seeks to safeguard the search for innocence and guarantee the conditions of a fair trial.
Ouahbi added that the draft law is in line with Morocco’s developments that cover strengthening rights of freedoms, full adherence to international human rights commitments, and the fight against crime.
The draft law was adopted based on consultations and discussions that involved institutions and bodies like the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE).
Ouhabi concluded his presentation, pledging that the legislative initiative “undoubtedly represents a key step toward modernizing the national legal framework and meeting public expectations.”
Since 2024, Ouahbi has been calling for modernizing Morocco’s criminal procedure law among other legislative reforms.
In March this year, Ouahbi urged Moroccan institutions to ensure the country’s new alternative sentencing law achieves its full impact.
He stressed the importance of Law No. 43.22, which introduces non-custodial penalties into Morocco’s justice system, describing the legislation as a turning point in the country’s approach to criminal justice.
In May, the Moroccan government approved a draft decree of the law, setting the framework for implementing alternative sentencing measures.
